What is all the hate on the unicrown? Form is supposed to FOLLOW function -not the other way around

I'm not a unicrown fork fan too, but might it mean less bent forks out there if everyone had one?........But fork crowns do look sooooo nice on a C&V bike and unicrowns just look sooooo......uhmmm.....cheapy cheap cheap?
JMOs

At least 20 Classic Dahons New Old Stock in Boxes in Pensacola.
They are looking for someone to buy the lot.
They also have a couple of big boxes of new old stock Dahon parts
I wish they were closer to me.http://pensacola.craigslist.org/bik/2336541330.html

I'm not a unicrown fork fan too, but might it mean less bent forks out there if everyone had one?........But fork crowns do look sooooo nice on a C&V bike and unicrowns just look sooooo......uhmmm.....cheapy cheap cheap?
JMOs

So what's so non-functional about lighter fork blades, better ride quality and a stronger steerer-blade junction? Them's what you get with a properly-done crowned fork. The only advantage to a unicrown is that it's cheaper to produce.

At Trek, we actually did some testing of unicrown forks when they first were offered as OEM components. It turns out they are both stronger and tend to be lighter than traditional forks with investment cast crowns. The fork built with a Henry James investment cast crown came the closest to being as light as a unicrown fork, but the cost was much higher. The Tange, Ishiwata, Haden and Cinelli crowns we had been using were all heavier. Low-end forks with formed sheet metal crowns rather than investment casting were as light as the unicrown, but nowhere near as strong.

But the aesthetics of unicrown forks back then (early 80s) just didn't sit well with people and we only used unicrowns on MTB models.

No, by definition, a "unicrown" fork has the blades welded directly to the steer tube, with no actual "crown" at all:

John

That is a nice fork. It uses an internally lugged, investment-cast crown from Tange, specifically the AERO #1175:

Yup, I agree that the Tange fork pictured does use an investment cast crown brazed internally to the two fork blades so the join is not visible. I guess I am just too much of a purist because unless the lug is external and can be identified as such, it isn't really lugged any more than two round components are butt joined using an internally fitted piece of tubing and brazed together. All this is just my opinion.

Here's a unicrown fork that was purpose-built and all business. Matched to one of the greatest performing steel frames ever made - the F. Moser Leader AX. I believe that it was even butted - the fork, I mean.

That's enough of all this fork crown business! Let's get back on topic. Lol.

I believe this is on topic. It has to do with vintage components and what they were built for. There is some disagreement on semantics but no big deal really. As you can see, the definition of unicrown isn't really so clear cut given afilado's (Julian) example.

JohnDThompson, we actually agree more than it appears. I am arguing a very subtle difference which apparently is just me and how I see things (a little off center at times). BTW, a good friend and brilliant former Trek engineer that I believe you know (Damon Rinard), told me about unicrown properties years ago. I have one on a track bike and find it is rock steady. At one time and I don't know if they still do but Trek did an awful lot of fork testing for strength and aero improvements. Damon was particularly interested in aero features and would be surprised if he had much involvement developing the unicrown fork. Butt ugly but highly functional.

(3) Pink lugged frames-selling off part of my collection of pink frames. all frames are: 58cm c-top seat tube. clean and shiny with no dents, include a smooth headset, seatpost and binder bolt. i am a bike mechanic and have many other parts to complete or partially complete the build and will work with you to do so.....for not much extra than the $125 price per frame. email me with questions. the MBTA stops in Warwick

I will be available to meet in the Central Square area on Friday, 4/22 between 3:30 and 6:30 pm. Your purchase helps to support our Youth Earn-a-Bike program in Worcester. Please call 508-579-9093 for more information and directions. IMPORTANT NOTE: if you email, please include your name and phone number. Due to the spam on craigslist I cannot respond to emails until I am sure you are a real person :-)

Location: Central Square

it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

This frame is around 52cm and will include the flat spoke 24"tubular wheel, old and new sewup, TTT bars and stem and brake levers , seat post and new Selle San Marco seat and the 600 rear derailer. I have had the bike for many years and it has been my wall art. Best Offer

Location: Lynn

it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

I believe this is on topic. It has to do with vintage components and what they were built for. There is some disagreement on semantics but no big deal really. As you can see, the definition of unicrown isn't really so clear cut given afilado's (Julian) example.

JohnDThompson, we actually agree more than it appears. I am arguing a very subtle difference which apparently is just me and how I see things (a little off center at times). BTW, a good friend and brilliant former Trek engineer that I believe you know (Damon Rinard), told me about unicrown properties years ago. I have one on a track bike and find it is rock steady. At one time and I don't know if they still do but Trek did an awful lot of fork testing for strength and aero improvements. Damon was particularly interested in aero features and would be surprised if he had much involvement developing the unicrown fork. Butt ugly but highly functional.

John

This thread is for ebay/craigslist finds, not comparing unicrown and lugged crowns. I could see that topic having its own thread though. This has been brought up in numerous Ironman threads. I own Ironman bikes with unicrown forks and Raleighs with lugged crowns. They're all beautiful, either way.

This thread is for ebay/craigslist finds, not comparing unicrown and lugged crowns. I could see that topic having its own thread though. This has been brought up in numerous Ironman threads. I own Ironman bikes with unicrown forks and Raleighs with lugged crowns. They're all beautiful, either way.

By the same token, are you supposed to be selling your bikes on this thread? Is there not another thread expressly for that purpose? Just sayin'.